LONDON, United Kingdom - June 2014. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2014 classifies khat as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (the 1971 Act). Khat is defined as the leaves, stems and shoots of the plant of the species Catha edulis and is listed as ‘khat’ to be subject to control as a Class C drug listed in Part III of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act. The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment) (No.2) (England, Wales and Scotland) Order 2014 amends the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2001 which ‘designates’ controlled drugs to which section 7(4) of 1971 Act applies because they have no recognised medicinal or legitimate uses outside of research. This means it is unlawful to possess, supply, produce, import or export designated drugs except under the required Home Office licence for research or other special purposes. The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2014 amend Schedule 1 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (the 2001 Regulations) where designated drugs are listed. The Order was issued 18 June 2014 and will enter into force 21 June 2014.

For further information please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0112014-changes-to-misuse-of-drugs-act-1971-and-criminal-justice-and-police-act-2001-khat